Though final March sales figures are due tomorrow, GM was eager to share the expected success of the Chevrolet Cruze. Through February of this year, Chevy has managed to push 32,187 Cruzes into the hands of new owners. That number is expected to make it past 50,000 for first quarter 2011.It’s easy to see why GM is bullish on its Cruze prospects. Chevy’s last small car, the Cobalt, sold a grand total of 97,376 coupes and sedans in 2010. The year prior, in 2009, the number was 104,724. In 2008, the Cobalt managed a total of 188,045. The sales decline, understandable due to the cyclical nature of product, didn’t go unnoticed. Now, if the Cruze can manage over 50,000 sold in the first quarter of a year, they should be well on pace to surpass 200,000 units in 2011.

There are favorable reports coming out of traditionally strong import markets in the United States. In California, the Cruze is selling 370-percent-higher than the Cobalt last year. In Florida and New York, the gains are nearly as great at 230 and 225 percent, respectively.The Cruze sales are good news for conquest rates too. According to GM, nearly two-thirds of Cruze customers are new to the bow-tie brand, and 48 percent traded in a non-Chevy vehicle. Another 18-percent of customers had no trade in, which possibly suggests first-time buyers. Thirty-four percent traded-in a Chevrolet.

Though the Cruze is performing, it’ll always face stiff competition in the tough C-segment. The Toyota Corolla currently leads the chase with 46,441 sold through February. The Honda Civic barely edged out the Cruze with 33,755 sold through the first two months of the year. And although it’s trailing in volume, there’s anticipation the redesigned Hyundai Elantra could claim some customers (21,948 sold through February).The battle is far from over. The 2012 Ford Focus is just rolling out this year, and the Civic is getting a light refresh before its 2012 model year redesign. And let’s not forget the Kia Forte, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, and reformulated and lower-priced Volkswagen Jetta, which could snake a couple thousand sales too. This is shaping up to be one of the most competitive compact car sales races yet.Sources: GM, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota

What's horrible is that people are still upset about the bailouts, even though both of the automakers involved are doing well(at the moment, at least). The bailout had nothing to do with keeping money in this country. It had to do with keeping thousands of people employed. I guess the THOUSANDS of jobs saved don't mean anything to you.
..I guess I probably shouldn't tell you that your TV wasn't made in the US. Nor was half the stuff in your household.

Great, but how many of these Cruze buyers would still buy the Cruze if they knew that the Cruze isn't a domestic automobile? It isn't. Although GM makes it, only 45% of the Cruze's content is made in the US and/or Canada. GM imports 55% of the car from foreign sources. Don't believe it? Read about it in this month's C&D.
The Government bailed out GM but GM used some of the American taxpayer's money to transfer American jobs to foreign countries. That's just HORRIBLE.

The skeptics were wrong, and they will continue to be wrong. The Cruze is a good car, and it's selling very well.
You can't take away from the Cruze's success by saying the Corolla and Civic are "aged." Those 2 cars have been the segment leaders for a long time, and they aren't that aged.
When the Cruze beats them, what are they going to say?
Good job, GM.

Wow the Corolla sold 44,000. Has anyone seen the face lift? It is horrible. Def. a step in the wrong direction. Good Job on the Cruze GM. I am glad we finally have a seriously player in the compact segment. I think it is awesome the GM and Ford have some class leaders, and it is impressive that Hyundai is leading the pack too

hmmm..a lot of arrogant and thick headed blind ppl in here..we are talking about the CRUZE here, not the cavalier or cobalt..i highly doubt they sold almost all these vehicles to rental companies..why dont you get off your high horse and go educate yourself, do a little research online or better yet, take a test drive..other the six speed auto being geared towards fuel eco at all costs..chevys new CRUZE is almost hard to believe its really a GM small car, yep its that good..refined interior, quiet ride, fairly roomy, decent suspension, and sold value..if i was able to get the 6 speed manual in the LTZ, Id prolly have one myself, but after doing some research the ECO model is the sweetheart of the bunch..a car that is ideal for these tough times, theres been many owners/mags best the EPAs 42mpg too, with mileage as high as 46-46 mpg! not bad for GM and a non hybrid car, still hung up over the measly 140hp?? since the ECOs about 250-300 pounds lighter, the 1.4 pulls the 6 spd manual ECO to 60 under 9 secs, w/ most reports around 8.4-8.8 sec to 60..for reference, this thing would easily show my 2.5 subie legacy its tailllights..im ok w/ my subie, so the CRUZE would be more than powerful enough and more fun to drive..job well done CHEVY, now tweak the package, making the manual opt across the board and bringing the hatch, coupe, or SS to showrooms

More like color you arrogant. What's the matter? Can't handle that Chevy's now got Toyota and Honda running scared and desperate in the small car segment with the Cruze? Have you seen the Japanese makers' 2012 offerings? Pathetic stuff, compared to what America's bringing to the table.
And if you want to talk about "plebeian," look at the Corolla and Civic. Doesn't get any more "commoner's car" than those things. Boring, cheap, weak. Tasteless cars for tasteless people...

No, I'll color you an ass. Your gealous because GM is building a winner just like I said and knew they would. You must be a corrola or civic owner with a bland and boring car....you need to upgrade to a Chevy Cruze. Way to go GM!!!!!

I really like the Cruze, its a step in the right direction. I'm glad its doing well in sales. So, i think Chevy should consider bringing over the hatch version to the states and releasing a SS version to counter act the competition when they release their redesigned cars.

remember the recent WOT regarding who's the next Hyundai? considering Chevy's new push for global recognition and getting away from Deawoo, they have the ability (you have to start from the bottom like Hyundai did). I can see this car duke it out with the up-coming competition.

I too was once obsessed with underpinning sharing and thought it was rebadging, then I got a clue. Sharing a frame and wheelbase, etc, really, really, really, doesn't matter. This is true in 2011, wasn't in 1990. A cruze and a volt have so so so little in common. If you're brain can't absort more than one sentence, then you'll focus on "They have the same underpinnings" and not the actual breakdown of that statement.

If I were going to get this, I would get the hybrid version (Volt) though it would cost a lot more. (I didn't know it was the same basic car until Consumer Reports pointed it out). Though this is small compared to some of Chevy's older sub-compacts, it's specs show it's bigger than their old Chevette and Vegas, which I thought were poorly-designed cars. Let's hope this one does better.

I really liked the styling of the car, little conservative but tasteful. was impressed with the seats and interior. High quality and substantial feeling, nice chassis, but the engines. Not horrible but nowhere near best in class. also wish they had a sport model. like everyother car in this class the sticker price can make anyone do a double take. When did cars get this expensive. ive seen loaded models pushing 26. that should be the price for a ss model! take the engine of the cobolt ss and trick the suspension like the cobolt ss. They did wonders with the old ss suspension! do it to the cruze!!

With all the excitement surrounding this new entry, one can only hope that the cruze lives up to all that is expected from it. Sometime I will get around to test dive this and the new Sonic that is coming out later in the year.

This car is one of the best cars in its segment. Its no wonder why its such a success. This car is much, much better than the current Toyota Corolla and will go toe to toe with the new Honda Civic, that is just about to launch. Its right up there with the 2012 Ford Focus and 2012 Hyundai Elantra. Those three cars, as well as the Cruze, are the best 4 cars in the segment. Toyota better step up its game because the competition has outgunned it big time, from a pure product stand point. Their Corolla sales are up now, but I would be curious to see how this segments sales will be in a few years.

The Cruze is much better than the Cobalt. that's something that everyone can agree on. Maybe it will end up selling 200k units but maybe not. it currently being outsold by the severely aged Corolla and Civic. The new Elantra just came out and the new focus is right around the corner. I just do not see the Cruze keeping up this base when the real competition arrives.